Fishing Report for Week Ending May 6, 2018

SALTWATER


OVERVIEW – The Chinook fishing was SPOTTY around the south Island with Chinooks running  up to 23.1 lbs in size. Halibut fishing was FAIR during the tides and strong currents of the past week.

Subject: FN0346 - RECREATIONAL - Fin Fish - Lingcod and Rockfish - Areas 12 to 20 and 29 - Open Times and Limits - May 1, 2018 - Amendment to FN0343

LINGCOD Effective at 00:01 hours May 1 to 23:59 hours September 30, 2018 fishing for lingcod will open in the following areas: Areas: 12-1 to 12-13, 12-15 to 12-48, 13 to 19, 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5.Daily limit: one (1) Possession limit: two (2)  Minimum Size: 65 cm Annual limit: ten (10)Gear: angling (hook and line) and spear fishing while diving. Areas 28 and 29 (except of Subarea 29-5) remain closed to fishing for lingcod, this includes catch and release.

ROCKFISH (Rockfish and Yelloweye Rockfish in the aggregate): Effective at 00:01 hours May 1 to 23:59 hours September 30, 2018 fishing for rockfish will open in the following areas: Areas: 12-1 to 12-13, 12-15 to 12-48, 13 to 19, 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5.Daily limit: one (1) Possession limit: two (2) No size limit or annual limit is in effect. Gear: angling (hook and line) and spear fishing while diving.Areas 28 and 29 (except of Subarea 29-5) remain closed to fishing for rockfish, this includes catch and release.  

For the latest details on recreational fishery openings and closures in your area:

  1. A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line);

  2. B) Visit our web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfmto find applicable fishery notices; or

  3. C) Follow our sport fishing Twitter account https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc


Visit our Facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips.

SOOKE–The salmon fishing was FAIR on this past week. Most of the fish are from 5 to 8 lbs in size with the occasional larger one into the teens. The springs were spread out throughout the area. Most of the salmon are close to the bottom in 100 – 140 feet of water but there are some at mid water depths. Spoons such as Skinny G’s, Coho Killers and 4″ Coyote spoons have been good. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits. Anchovies are still the most popular choice for those fishing bait. Good choices for teaser head colors are Army Truck, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze.  For flashers, Red/Glow Hot Spots, the Delta Guide Series UV Moon Jelly, Madi and the Lemon Lime Chartreuse are popular. The Sooke Saltwater Series, supporting salmon enhancement and the food bank in Sooke, started this past weekend with the halibut derby.  The winner was James cool with a 41.46 lb halibut.

BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past week. The hot spots this past week were Beechey Head, Aldridge Point and between the Bedford Islands and Whirl Bay. The best depths off Beechey Head were 90 -100 feet and near Aldridge 70 feet was the magic depth. The fish have not been too large this past week with the larger ones topping out in the low teens. Anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 100 to 140 depths between the Bedfords and Whirl Bay. The majority of anglers are using spoons with Coho Killers and Gibbs Skinny G’s in green/glow and green/silver colors the favorites. The GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters, Madi, Lemon Lime and Red/Glow Hot Spot flashers have been working well. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits.

PEDDER BAY– Pedder Bay Marina reports GOOD but SPOTTY salmon fishing. Both Pedder Bay and Whirl Bay produced some hatchery springs from 15 to 20 lbs. Don Boyd landed a 20 lb spring in Pedder Bay while fishing at 88 feet in the bay. Swordfish Island also produced fish while fishing at 80 feet in 120 feet of water. The majority of the salmon have been from 5 to 12 lbs in size. Squirts were the hot lures again this past week with a green and glow, Purple Haze or UV white good color choices. Spoons have been producing the best and the Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, AP Tackleworks and Coho Killers are the top choices. Green with either silver or glow has been the color choice in spoons. Flashers that are popular include the Guide Series Madi, Outfitters and Lemon Lime.

HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was FAIR this past Sunday. East Race and William Head were the most productive spots.

VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Constance Bank this past week when the winds weren’t too blustery. Anglers have been getting hatchery springs into the high teens on the bank. In closer, there were springs from Brotchie Ledge to Trial Island, with a 12 lb spring the largest that we’ve heard about. But it was spotty fishing close in along the waterfront. The best depths to fish were still 90-140 feet but we’ve heard of some larger fish being caught at mid-water depths. Spoons have been successful in getting hook ups with Irish Cream Skinny G’s, Green/Glow AP Tackleworks Anchovy 4” spoons and Green/Glow Coyote spoons popular choices.

HALIBUT - Fishing was GOOD for halibut this past Sunday. On Saturday, Harland Bielert landed a 39.8 lb, 114 cm Halibut at Constance Bank. Constance Bank, the Mud Hole and Albert Head produced a few in the derby.

OAK BAY– Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in Oak Bay. Most of the salmon have been on the small side, but some nicer ones to 16 lbs were caught on Sunday.  The Flats was producing the best on the flood tide, while the tail end of the ebb produced the best at the Gap. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and close to the bottom where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing squirts and spoons or jigging close to the bottom. Best bets for Oak Bay trolling lures are Wee G and Skinny Gs, Coho Killers and AP Tackleworks Sandlance spoons. Squirts will also work with Jelly fish and Electric Chairs good bets. Jiggers are doing best with Deep Stingers and Point Wilson darts.

HALIBUT - Fishing was FAIR for halibut on Sunday. Border Bank was where most of the halibut were caught.

SIDNEY– Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in the Sidney area. The Sidney Anglers’ Association held their annual Salmon Derby this past weekend. There were 52 chinooks weighed in, 34 of which were hatchery marked.  The winner was Chris Flint with a 23.1 lb spring caught near Coal Island. Second place went to Kate Cole with a 21 lb spring. Third place was won by Mickey Webster with a 17.2 lb spring. There were 200 tickets sold this year. There were springs being caught near Pender Island, Moresby Island, Coal Island and Hambley Point. Anglers using spoons found that AP Sandlance spoons, Coho Killers and Gibbs and Needle G spoons the most productive this past week. Suggested colours are Kitchen Sink and Irish Cream. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good producers of fish with teaser heads in Glow or UV Purple.

Notable Catches – The Sooke Saltwater Series, supporting salmon enhancement and the food bank in Sooke, started this past weekend with the halibut derby. The winner was James Cool with a 41.46 lb halibut. Boyd landed a 20 lb spring in Pedder Bay while fishing at 88 feet in the bay. On Saturday, Harland Bielert landed a 39.8 lb, 114 cm Halibut at Constance Bank. The Sidney Anglers’ Association held their annual Salmon Derby this past weekend. There were 52 chinooks weighed in, 34 of which were hatchery marked.  The winner was Chris Flint with a 23.1 lb spring caught near Coal Island. Second place went to Kate Cole with a 21 lb spring. Third place was won by Mickey Webster with a 17.2 lb spring.

Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com 

 

FRESHWATER


OVERVIEW – Fishing was GOOD in most lakes for trout and bass.

A brown trout in the net on the Cowichan River


COWICHAN RIVER – The water level has been dropping all week and the river is in great shape. Near the lake the water level is at 0.96 meters and near Duncan it’s at 0.84 meters.  Fishing for trout in the upper river has been good. Anglers are reporting good action on both dry flies and nymphs. Good dry flies have been the Elk Hair Caddis and the Goddard Caddis. Pheasant tail nymphs have also been good.



Ward Bond with a Cowichan rainbow

TROUT – Trout fishing has been PICKING UP for trout to at the local lakes due to the recent trout stockings and as the water temperatures warm up. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, and worms while fishing close to the bottom. Pink, Chartreuse and Fluorescent Yellow have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are fishing Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Muddler Minnow patterns on full sink fly lines most of the time to get into the lower water levels. There have been some chironomid hatches too. Trollers are catching trout with worms fished behind Gibbs Gang Trolls and on Gibbs Wedding Bands. 2” Tomic Plugs have also been working well for trout.

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocking report of spring catchable rainbow trout into southern Vancouver Island lakes is as follows. On April 23rd, Thetis Lake received 1,000 trout, Glen Lake 500 trout and Lookout Lake 250 trout weighing and average of 181.51 grams. On April 19th, Elk Lake received 1,900 trout weighing an average of 191.95 grams. On March 26th, Lookout Lake received 225 trout averaging 263.58 grams. On March 21st, Shawnigan Lake 304 trout and Dougan Lake received 500 trout averaging 263.58 grams. On March 13th, Shawnigan Lake received 600 trout, Thetis Lake 1,000 trout and Spectacle, Glen and Dougan Lakes 500 trout weighing 249.33 grams. On March 9th, Elk Lake received 1,800 trout, Prospect Lake 1,000 trout and Ida Anne Lake 250 trout averaging 255.17 grams.  On March 8th, Durrance Lake received 1,000 trout, Shawnigan Lake 829 trout, Kemp and Matheson Lakes received 500 trout and Poirier Lake 300 trout averaging 246.87 grams. On March 3rd, Elk Lake and Prospect Lake were each stocked with 1,800 trout weighing 247.48 grams each. To find out about stockings all over the Island and the province, as well as the different strains being released, click on the link http://www.gofishbc.com/Stocked-Fish.aspx

BASS– Bass fishing is REALLY PICKING UP on Island lakes. Most lakes are producing large fish as they are moving into the shallows for spawning. During the day, spinner baits and crank baits are working well at times. Soft plastics rigged “Texas Style” are also a good choice when fishing drop offs and deeper structure. The most productive colors in 4” Yum baits are Smoke or Pumpkinseed. Drop shot fishing can also be very effective this time of year. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.

Notable Catches – Sawyer Nottelman is 13 years old and says the he just got his personnel best small mouth bass. He thinks it was about 8 pounds but since he did not did not have a scale we really don't know. Sawyer also reports catching about 7 other bass that he thinks were in the 6 or 7 pound range as well as a lot of 1 to 2 pound bass on the Carolina style weight less Senko bait. Sawyer did not mention which lake he was fishing.

Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK


When fishing for trout with Power Bait, always make sure the hook is completely covered by the bait. You don’t want the trout to feel any metal when they gently mouth the bait. And don’t use too heavy a weight as to alarm the fish when it picks up the bait.



2018 Island Outfitters Leader Boards


Trout

1) 8 lbs 8 oz – Rob Waldner – Langford Lake – Fly – March 31st

2) 5 lbs 4 oz – Kayden Howes – Elk Lake – Corn – February 12th

3) 4 lbs 11 oz – Allan Edgar – Langford Lake – Powerbait – January 12th

4) 4 lbs 5 oz – Tyler Clough – Langford Lake – Powerbait - April 2nd

5) 3 lbs 1 oz – Bob Johnson – Elk Lake – Green Carey fly - April 14th

 

Salmon

1) 23 lbs 8 oz – Sonia Benedic – Clover Point – Mint Tulip Hoochie - February 26th

2) 18 lbs – Martha George – Oak Bay Flats – AP “Chatham” spoon – April 22nd

3) 14 lbs 8 oz – Hannah Cottier – Constance Bank – Skinny G – February 11th

4) 10 lbs 8 oz – Grace Cottier – Constance Bank – Skinny G – February 11th

 

Halibut 

1) 73.8 lbs – Brian Dow – Constance Bank – Herring – March 16th

2) 70.7 lbs – Ray Hawthorne – Discovery Island – Herring – March 10th

3) 66.3 lbs – Seth Papineau – Church Rock – Herring – March 12th

4) 64.1 lbs – Chad Dobranski -– Discovery Island – Herring – March 10th

5) 61.1 lbs – Trevor Walton – Oak Bay – Mackerel – March 10th

 

Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon, Trout and Halibut Leader Boards. Simply weigh your catch in at Island Outfitters and the top five fish in each category on December 31st win a special prize.

See our event pages for details on upcoming events at http://fishingvictoria.com/events/

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